Programme 2010 – The Wedding Singer

the
wedding
singer

The Musical Comedy

A Napier Operatic Society Production
Tabard Restaurant Theatre
22 April – 8 May, 2010

the
wedding
singer
The Musical Comedy

Music by
MATTHEW SKLAR

Book by
CHAD BEGUELIN & TIM HERLIHY

Lyrics by
CHAD BEGUELIN

Based upon the New Line Cinema film Written by Tim Herlihy
By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

HOSPITALITY

Front of House:   Lesley Reid

Hostesses:   Judy White assisted by Mary Crook, Kay Collins, Annette Davey

Bar Manager:   Allan Howes

Catering Manager:   William Waitoa

All departments assisted by Friends of the Napier Operatic Society

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MAIN
Pork Fillet with Plum sauce, served with minted & buttered New Potatoes and a medley of fresh vegetables.
DESSERT
Lemon Meringue with custard and a swirl of Chantilly cream.
INTERMISSION
Tea and coffee with Wedding Cake made especially for the occasion by Mandy Smith of Heaven’s Bakery & Café.
Riverside Wines
HAWTHORNE Coffee

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

We all love a wedding, and it’s with great pleasure I invite you to four of them in ‘The Wedding Singer’, our first production for 2010.

Nominated for five Tony Awards, ‘The Wedding Singer is a good-natured, high-energy musical about love lost and found.

It has been a pleasure to support the show’s creative team – Director Sonya Aifai, Musical Director Chris Atkinson, and Choreographer Lucy Cresswell. Chris and Lucy have excelled in their first off-stage roles for Napier Operatic, helping Sonya bring to life the music and dance of the 1980s. They have been backed by a strong production team and, most importantly, the talented cast.

We sincerely thank our sponsors and supporters. Continuous rising costs in all aspects of theatre means their generosity is more important than ever in helping Napier Operatic stage quality productions that showcase our wealth of local talent and expertise.

On behalf of the company who have dedicated many hours to making ‘The Wedding Singer’ a true celebration, I invite you to toast the wedding parties, sit back and enjoy the show.

Sharron Pardoe
President

DIRECTOR
Sonya Aifai
‘The Wedding Singer’ is the 8th production that Sonya has directed for the society. The majority of her time is involved with our own Society theatre school where Sonya directed ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Mulan’.
Sonya is also a prominent member of the Society backstage and is Secretary of the Executive committee.
Sonya’s primary focus in the theatre is to develop emerging artists, young and old, in the performing arts field.
‘The Wedding Singer’; has allowed the cast and crew to have fun, learn and provide an awesome show. Sonya has been impressed by the cast’s enthusiasm and talent. Enjoy!

MUSIC DIRECTOR
Chris Atkinson
Chris has been a member of the NOS family for just 5 years but has been lucky enough to be on stage for such shows as ‘The Full Monty’, ‘Beauty & the Beast’, ‘Back to the 80’s’ and ‘Miss Saigon’. A music teacher at Hastings Girls’ High School, Chris was musical director for the joint production with Hastings Boys’ High School of ‘Fame’ last year. He is thoroughly enjoying his first opportunity to musically direct for Napier Operatic Society.

CHOREOGRAPHER
Lucy Cresswell
Lucy moved to Napier 3 years ago and soon after joined NOS. Having been onstage for a number of shows such as ‘Cats’ and ‘Miss Saigon’, she is delighted to be choreographing ‘The Wedding Singer’. She would sincerely like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work and in particular the production team Sonya, Chris, Darryl M, Darryl G & Keiran for making this such an incredible experience.

TRAINEE DIRECTOR
Keiran Wright
Kieran has been involved with NOS since 2005 as a member of the props team in ‘Joseph’. Since then he has stage managed Theatre School Productions at the Tabard.
Under Sonya Aifai’s guiding wing, he has learnt a lot about the fine craft of directing a show.
He has enjoyed being involved with ‘The Wedding Singer’ and at some point would like to direct a stage show for the Society.
Kieran thanks Sonya for her kindness and willingness to answer all his questions!

SYNOPSIS

It’s 1985 and rock star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party – until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar! Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. The only trouble is, Julia is about to be married to a wall street shark and, unless Robbie can pull off the performance of the decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. With a brand-new score that plays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980s, ‘The Wedding Singer’ takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer just might be the coolest guy in the room.

Oh, when it’s your wedding day
And my music starts to play
I can guarantee that
ALL LOVE WILL
FIND YOU!
– Robbie Hart

CAST in order of appearance

Robbie Hart   ANDREW HODGSON
Sammy   FARANI PENITITO
George   CALLUM MCNABB
Harold Fonda   JEREMY RANDALL
Debbie Fonda  RACHEL KEITH
David Fonda   COLIN COOK
Julia   KAREN CALLAGHAN
Holly   ANNE AIFAI
Waitress   KRISTEN STUART
Glen Guglia   MATT MCGIRR
Grandma Rosie   LESLEY STANDRING
Priest   TONY SMITH
Linda   KELLY DAVIS
Angie   SHARON DEVEREUX
Pop girls   JENNY WISHART, RACHEL KEITH, RACHAEL MCKINNON, JANINE HILL
Mookie   JEREMY RANDALL
Crystal   KELLY SMITH
Donnie   DEAN WALKER
Tiffany   SARA VANDERMEER
Waiters   BENNETT AIFAI, STEVE ROBERTS
Delivery boys   MATT JOHNSON, SEAN COLLIER
Shane   DEAN WALKER
Donatella   RACHAEL MCKINNON
Father of the bride   TONY WALKER
Bad hair cut guy   CRAIG MCKINNON
Sideburns lady   RACHEL KEITH
Loser guy   JEREMY RANDALL
Twinkie lady   RANA FESILI
Jared Shapiro   TAINE CONWAY
Clerks   SARA VANDERMEER, NATASHA HAWKINS
Secretaries   LORRAINE GUILLEMOT, NATASHA HAWKINS
Ricky   JEREMY RANDALL
The Bum   BENNETT AIFAI
Tuxedo men   BENNETT AIFAI, JEREMY RANDALL, STEVE ROBERTS, DEAN WALKER, TONY WALKER
Agent   LORRAINE MITCHELL
Billy Idol   COLIN COOK
Mr T   STEVE ROBERTS
Ronald Reagan   KERRY GREENHALGH
Tina Turner   RACHEL KEITH
Cindi Lauper   LAUREN DEVEREUX
Imelda Marcos   SHARON DEVEREUX
Bag Lady   RACHAEL MCKINNON

PRINCIPAL CAST

Andrew Hodgson
Andy has a few shows with NOS under his belt now, and ‘The Wedding Singer’ has quickly become a favourite. This show has really bolstered his passion for performing, and been a great learning experience. Andy, wants to thank everyone involved (on stage, off stage, and at home!) for being so supportive.

Karen Callaghan
Originally from Dunedin, Karen moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2007 with her husband, Aidan and 10 month daughter Neve. ‘The Wedding Singer’ is Karen’s second time on the Tabard stage, her first show with NOS was ‘Music Hall Meets Vaudeville’ late last year. Karen is thrilled to play the part of Julia and loves being part of a fun and supportive cast and crew.

Anne Aifai
Anne made her debut at NOS at age 7 & in Music Hall 1997. She has played leading roles in ‘Little shop of Horrors’, ‘Back to the 80’s’, ‘Joseph’ and ‘Aladdin’. Along with raising her little boy she is a tap jazz/hiphop dancer, pianist and choreographer. Anne loves sharing this experience with her brother Bennett and boyfriend Farani.

Farani Penitito
This is Farani’s fifth show with NOS. He was first introduced to theatre playing the lead in ‘Aladdin’. He then helped as stunt co-ordinator in ‘Cats’ and was a Vietnamese soldier in ‘Miss Saigon’. Farani loves church and barbershop or just singing in the shower! He would like to give a big thank you to Sonya for starting his life in theatre.

Matt McGirr
As an ensemble member in 7 shows for NOS, including ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Miss Saigon’, Matt’s love for theatre has grown. He is now looking forward to the challenge of a lead role. Matt would like to thank his girlfriend, Lucy (choreographer) for her patience and his Mum for her time and support.

Callum McNabb
Callum has been a member of Napier Operatic since 2006, this will be his fourth show with the Society. Having such a passion for drama since High School he is thrilled to be in this awesome show.

Kelly Davis
This is the first show for Kelly Davis in over 15 years – after living overseas and having children (she currently has 3 boys under 3), she’s decided it’s time to get her feet wet again. She’s previously played “Birgitta” in the ‘Sound of Music’ and a lead role in ‘Til the Boys Come Home’, both for Wanganui Amdram.

Lesley Standring
Lesley is delighted to be back on the NOS stage after an absence of 17 years, during which time she established a women’s barbershop chorus in Napier, taking on the role of Musical Director. In the past Lesley was in productions of ‘Music Hall’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Joseph’, and ‘Nunsense’.

WEDDING ALBUM

PRODUCTION TEAM

PRODUCTION MANAGER   Darryl Mitchell
PRODUCTION SECRETARY   Darryl Ginns
STAGE DIRECTOR   Marc Collier
STAGE MANAGER   Karen Green
WARDROBE MANAGERS   Pam Christensen, Ngaire Boyce
PROPERTIES MANAGER   Philippa Lintott
SOUND & MICROPHONES   John MacGibbon of ML Consultants
LIGHTING DESIGNER   Paul Collier
MAKE UP MANAGERS   Jude Allen, Julie Avery
HAIR STYLIST   Phillipa Jones
SET DESIGNERS   Marc Collier & Sonya Aifai

PRODUCTION CREW

STAGE & CONSTRUCTION   Sonya Aifai, Colin Pritchard, Kerry Greenhalgh, Brian Harber, Brendan Hey, Eion McKinnon, Michael Peterson, Alan Jones, Emma Smith, Farani Penitito, Alan Holt, Allan Howes, Ian Scott, Pierre van der Zwet, David Burns, Tyler Demanser, Patrick McGirr, Bennett Aifai.

LIGHTING OPERATORS   Mike McConnell, Michael Peterson, Darryl Prussing

SOUND OPERATORS   David Crook, Darryl Mitchell

WARDROBE & DRESSERS   June Taylor, Deidre Hitchcock, Karen Thompson, Gail Jones, William Waitoa, and Friends of the Society

PROPERTIES TEAM   Anne Collier, Chris Kennah, Donna O’Shaughnessy, Jacque Wilton. Michelle Winter, Derryn Toomey, Georgia Toomey, Sally Pardoe, Margaret Drury

MAKEUP & HAIR   Tracy van der Zwet, Jemma Lewis, Adrienne Allan, Joanne O’Neil, Karlie Lett, Jo Jowett-Morel, Sarah Kerr, Friends of the Society

CAST & CREW SUPPERS   Irene McKinnon and NOS Social Club

PUBLICITY TEAM   Sonya Aifai assisted by Judy White, Barbara Brown, Karen McLean, Dale Reid, Tony Smith, Anita Davies

ADVERTISING SIGNS   Ollie Christoffersen, Darryl Mitchell, Colin Pritchard, Donald Hurley

PROGRAMME   Victoria Nicolle, Darryl Mitchell

REHEARSAL PROMPT   Irene McKinnon

BOOKING OFFICE   Gail Jones, Dale Reid

VOCAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE:

It’s your Wedding Day   Robbie Hart & Ensemble
Music to Digest by   George
Someday   Julia Sullivan
Awesome   Robbie Hart & Julia Sullivan
A note from Linda   Linda
Pop   Holly, Julia, Angie & ensemble
Somebody Kill Me   Robbie Hart
A note from Grandma   Grandma Rosie
Casualty of Love   Robbie Hart & ensemble
Come out of the dumpster   Julia Sullivan
Today, you are a man   Robbie Hart
George’s prayer   George
It’s not that kind of thing   Robbie, Julia & Ensemble
Saturday Night In the City   Holly & ensemble

ACT TWO:

All About the green   Glen Guglia
Someday (reprise)   Julia Sullivan
Right in front of your eyes   Holly & Sammy
All about the green (reprise)   Robbie
Single   Robbie, Sammy, George, Ricky, Bum
If I Told You   Robbie & Julia
Let Me Come Home   Linda
50 years   George
Not that kind/If I told you (reprise)   Grandma Rosie, Robbie & Julia
Move that Thang   Grandma Rosie & George
I believe   Ensemble
Grow old with you   Robbie & Julia
Act II Finale   Entire Cast

WEDDING BAND

Freya Hodgson:   Rehearsal pianist / Key board No 1
Chris Atkinson:   Key board No 2
Justin Lindsay:   Lead Guitar
Bruce Welby:   Bass Guitar
Christopher Redfern-Wilson:   Trumpet
Alan Meakin:   Saxophone / Clarinet
Chris Smith:   Drums

CAST

Bennett Aifai
Bennett has been involved in NOS since 2001, his first stage appearance was at age 5. Since then he has been in several theatre school productions and last year stepped into the adult production of ‘Miss Saigon’. Bennett has enjoyed working on this show with both his Mum and his sister Anne. In his spare time Bennett is a keen basketballer and guitarist.

Sean Collier
Sean Collier is the fourth generation in the NOS. His first show was in 2001 and he hasn’t stopped since. His favourite show was Aladdin playing Abu the monkey. He also started doing theatre at Napier Boys’ by having a minor role in Man of Steel in 2009 and by leading the junior theatre sports this year.

Taine Conway
Taine is currently a student at Havelock North Intermediate. He is 11 years old and has been actively involved in Helen O’Grady drama classes over the last two years. Taine is a lover of the outdoors and sports, a great fan of hockey and also of walking the Te Mata Peak and river banks with his trusty labrador ‘Hunta’. This is Taine’s first out-of-school musical which he is enjoying immensely.

Colin Cook
This is Colin’s third show with NOS, having played Harold in ‘The Full Monty’ and Officer Lockstock in ‘Urinetown’. He says it’s good to be back at his home theatre, playing an assortment of characters. Colin played guitar in bands, for weddings in England during the 80’s, so he is now reliving history.

Lauren Devereux
‘The Wedding Singer’ is Lauren’s first NOS show. Her previous production was for Reignier Catholic School, ‘The Sheriff of Plain and Pearl’. Lauren is thankful to be in the show which has been a great experience. The people have been nice, welcoming her into the “Tabard Theatre Family”. She appreciates her family’s late pick up’s. Thanks!

Sharon Devereux
For Sharon, Tabard shows have always been fun, and ‘The Wedding Singer’ has been no exception. Making it more special is sharing the stage with her step-daughter in her first NOS production. Sharon is very proud of her, and also thanks her husband Dean for his support and encouragement.

Rana Fesili
Despite having sore toes from squeezing her ‘island feet’ into dance shoes, Rana is loving the Napier Operatic experience. Having worked back stage, this is Rana’s first time on stage. She has enjoyed working with the cast and crew and would like to thank her family and friends for their support and encouragement.

CAST

Kerry Greenhalgh
Having been involved with the Napier Operatic Society for the past 4 years, Kerry is delighted to be involved in yet another production being both on stage and working behind the scenes. Prior to ‘The Wedding Singer’ Kerry had stage managed several shows for NOS and is looking forward to working with Sonya alongside both cast and crew.

Lorraine Guillemot
Lorraine has been member of a four part singing chorus in Napier for 10 years competing nationally and also a member of a New Zealand four part chorus which sang in Hawaii. She was a backstage singer with appearances on stage in the recent show ‘Miss Saigon’.

Natasha Hawkins
Natasha is as an outgoing and very caring individual. She loves to have a great laugh and is always there for others, encouraging and supporting. Some qualities that shine are within her work and her personality. Her passion is for life and wanting to make the best out of it.

Janine Hill
Janine’s first appearance on the stage for the Napier Operatic Society was nearly 30 years ago, since then she has appeared in a number of NOS productions the most recent being ‘Miss Saigon’. A third generation member, Janine loves participating both on and off the stage. Janine is grateful to husband, Nigel and children, Taylor and Brayden for supporting her to once again “tread the boards”.

Matthew Johnson
Mathew Johnson has been a part of Napier Operatic Society for one year now and was in the last NOS Junior Theatre School show, ‘Mulan’ and a school production, ‘The Man of Steel’.

Rachel Keith
Rachel joined NOS in 2005 as a chorus dancer in ‘My Fair Lady’, followed by ‘The Full Monty’, ‘Back to the 80’s’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Rach would like to dedicate this show to her wonderful friends and family, and hopes you get as much enjoyment from
the show as she does.

Craig McKinnon
From the age of 6, Craig has been performing in NOS Theatre School productions as well as school shows and dance recitals. He has represented NBHS in Junior theatre sports and is a keen guitarist and drummer. He has enjoyed being a part of this fun cast.

CAST

Rachael McKinnon
Rachael has had a fan-tiddily-astic time being involved in this show of awesomeness and fun-osity. Rachael is 17 and is 7th form at NGHS. She likes theatre, giraffes, salami and cheese sandwiches, and random facts – cats can hear ultrasound! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lorraine Mitchell
Lorraine is a virgin to NOS, coming from Levin where she performed in 3 comedies and a musical. Lorraine loves karaoke, comedy, laughing and telling stories. She has been away from theatre for a while and is excited to be in ‘The Wedding Singer’ and thankfully has an understanding family.

Jeremy Randall
After a long break Jeremy is glad to be back. Jeremy has been with Napier Operatic for numerous years and has done many shows with them including Beauty & the Beast, Annie, My Fair Lady and Thoroughly Modern Milly. Jeremy hopes you enjoy the show.

Steve Roberts
After a 15-year hiatus overseas Steve returns onstage, a love affair that began back in 1985 in the chorus for NOS production of ‘Chicago’. Since returning he has worked backstage with ‘Miss Saigon’ and was Stage Manager for the children’s show ‘Mulan’, which his daughter also performed in.

Tony Smith
As the oldest male cast member, Tony was delighted when asked to be part of this production. While the energetic dancing may be a little beyond him, it was comforting to know there were “mature” roles also on offer. Tony was recently in ‘Cats’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He says he has gained a real buzz out of the energy of such a young cast, and that makes him feel even older!

Kelly Smith
This is Kelly’s second show with NOS. Originally from the UK, Kelly works as a restaurant manager in one of Hawke Bay’s prolific wineries. A shoe addict, trouble-maker and diva in training – when she’s not treading the boards, Kelly performs arias in the shower to a captive audience of two (ginger kittens).

Kristen Stuart
Before ‘The Wedding Singer’ Kristen was a cast member in NOS’s ‘Music Hall Meets Vaudeville’. She takes lessons in jazz, tap and hip hop dancing and has really loved the experience and being able to meet new people in this production. She has really enjoyed being a part of such a great cast.

CAST

Dean Walker
This is Dean’s second production, having previously been in Music Hall meets Vaudeville. He has enjoyed the challenge of learning the singing and dance routines, and with working with such a wonderful crew. He hopes you enjoy the show.

Tony Walker
Tony is a Life and Business Performance Coach and feels that a great deal can be learnt about yourself from being involved in the theatre. “You can adapt to whoever you want to be and have fun in the process, just like life” he says. This is Tony’s third production, and says that this has been the most fun yet!

Jenny Wishart
Jenny’s passion for theatre was re-awakened in 2007 when she performed in ‘Masquerade’ at Taruna College, Havelock North. This year Jenny decided to dust off her dancing shoes and audition for ‘The Wedding Singer’. This is her first show and she is so happy to be a part of it.

Sara Vandermeer
This is Sara’s first production with the Napier Operatic Society, and her first experience with musical theatre. Sara enjoyed music and dance as a child but it wasn’t until recently that she decided to brave her first audition. Sara has loved rehearsing with such a fun cast, and can’t wait for the curtains to rise on opening night!

Some may say you’re headed
Down a crooked trail
But if you sell your soul,
At least you’ve made a sale
You could end world hunger
Or create a vaccine
But if you wanna be somebody
It’s all about the green
– Glen Guglia

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

PATRON:   Peter Cox
PRESIDENT:   Sharron Pardoe
VICE PRESIDENT:   Marc Collier
SECRETARY:   Sonya Aifai
TREASURER:   Kaye Wishart
CHAIRMAN:   Peter Austin
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT:   Dale Reid
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:   Chris Atkinson, Anita Davies, Samantha Grant-Smith, Karen Green, Allan Howes, Janine Hill, Alan Jones, Irene McKinnon, Colin Pritchard, Derryn Toomey

SOCIAL CLUB
CHAIRPERSON:   Darryl Ginns
SECRETARY:   Michelle Winter
TREASURER:   Gail Jones
COMMITTEE:   Anne Aifai, Patteson Aifai, Eoin McKinnon, Irene McKinnon
LIFE MEMBERS:   Dawn Unsworth, Alan Jones, Donald Hurley, Fred Twyford, Barrie Browne, Lyndsay Browne, Ros van de Ven, Les Robertson, Cliff Allen, Colin Pritchard, Brian Nathan, Ian Reid, Peter Shepherd, Gwyn Ace, John Briggs, Gillian Davies, Lois Reefman, Peter Eade, John Matthews, James Morgan

HONORARY SOLICITOR:   John Matthews

HONORARY PHOTOGRAPHER:   Clive Ralph

We apologise if, due to programme deadlines, we have been unable to include all names in the programme.

To everyone who has helped in this production, your contribution is very much appreciated.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Heavens Bakery & Café, McEntee Event Hire, Music Machine, Elaine’s Beauty Salon & Perfumery, Clive Ralph Photographers, NOS Social Club, Riverside Wines, Mane Tamers, Porritt School, Wendy Revell, Atkin Signs.

And to all of those who have participated and contributed in ways large and small, the Society and Company of The Wedding Singer wish to extend their gratitude.

COMING SOON

Don’t miss these Tabard Treats for 2010
Midsummer Night’s Dream
June 4 – June 7

BAD GIRLS
THE MUSICAL
July 29 – August 14
[www].nos.org.nz

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‘The Wedding Singer’

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